In loving memory of William Barrie Mitchell

Obituary

With great sadness we announce the passing of William Barrie Mitchell on Friday February 16, 2024 in his home in North Port, Florida.

He was born June 8, 1943, in Quincy Mass. to Robert and Dorothy (Hayman) Mitchell. Son of a career Army father, who was stationed twice Germany, Taiwan, and posts in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, retiring in Maine.

Bill graduated from Cony High in Augusta in 1961 and pursued a career in Construction.

Bill retired as a construction supervisor for the State of Maine Department of Transportation after 25 years and 8 days. He went on to develop and manage a recycling plant for contaminated soil, and running a small construction company in Maine. He often said his last job was his most rewarding, overseeing the GoodWheels program for GoodWill Industries and the State of Maine Department of Human Services. He enjoyed assisting families with their transportation needs by giving them a hand up not a hand out.

Bill enjoyed traveling and camping when the children were younger and most recently traveling by RV around the country.

Bill was an active member of the United States Power and Sail Squadron, teaching the Safe Boating classes, he truly enjoyed his time on his sailboat the Panache. He and Jackie received the National Life Saving Award for rescuing a stranded man that had fallen from a power boat.

It was a privilege to be able to travel to Alaska on a number of occasions to visit with his younger brother Ernie and family. Bill and Jackie were invited to China to be part of the highest consulting award for work performed on the Three Gorges Dam project awarded by the Chinese Gov’t.

He is predeceased by brother Robert Bruce, sister Mary Jayne, and most recently by a special brother in law Charles Pomerleau.

He is survived by his wife Jacqueline of North Port Fl. , Daughter Dorothy Stafford and husband Scott of Dayton, Oh. son Andrew of Oakland, Me, and daughter Laura Bourque and husband Kevin of Dover NH. He was blessed with five wonderful grandchildren, Emily Stafford, Miles Stafford, Allison Bourque, Zoe Mitchell and Cam Bourque.

Also survived by brother C. Wayne and wife Bonnie Mitchell of Nacogdoches Texas, Ernest and wife Candace Mitchell of Homer, Alaska and Judy Michaud of Ellsworth, Me. Sister in law, Rebecca and husband John Peterson of Ft. Myers Fl. Brother in laws Robert Pomerleau and wife Sue of Monmouth Me, Dennis Pomerleau of Vermont, Danny of Readfield Me.

Of the many dear friends a very special friend he would often introduce as a brother from a different mother, Rick Weber was close throughout his life. It was often said of Bill he never met a stranger. There are dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins all around the country.

The family will have a celebration of life in Florida at a later date to be announced.